Looking at Windows Vista, its Operability and its Security
Excellent observation on the corporate impacts of Vista in 3 Reasons Why Corporations Are Going To Hate Windows Vista
The first two were obvious to anyone who has ever been in a corporate environment (but, apparently that excludes Microsoft Corp.).
The third observation, though, is the hidden problem. I noticed it when I saw a demo and then promptly forgot about it. But, most users are lost without the Start button.
Microsoft’s Technet site has a new Windows Vista Security Guide for IT Professionals.
Unfortunately, it really does seem to be aimed at Information Technology professionals, with information for users scattered hither and yon through the document:
Chapter 1: Implementing the Security Baseline
Chapter 2: Defend Against Malware
Chapter 3: Protect Sensitive Data
Chapter 4: Application Compatibility
Chapter 5: Specialized Security – Limited Functionality
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/security/guide.mspx
Reported in Gavilan’s WeBlog, not only does Vista know about Daylight Saving Time (just like previous versions of Windows have known and automatically adjusted for it), Vista actually tells you ahead of time that Daylight Saving Time is coming.
More importantly, and more significantly, double-clicking on the clock in the Status Bar no longer brings up the interface to change the system date and time.
Now, the double-click brings up a clock (what a novel idea) and a link that you can use on those rare occasions when you actually want to change the system’s time.
This same display is where Vista tells that Daylight Saving Time is approaching and that it will automatically adjust the computer’s clock.
“One of the favorite enterprise features of Microsoft® Windows Vista™, USB device installations, gets even better in RC1. ”
So starts the USB Blocking in Release Candidate 1 posts to the Windows Vista Security blog on Microsoft Developers Network.
As much as I hate to side with the IT guys on this one, it is just a necessary requirement in today’s corporate world.
First, there were the horror stories of Social Engineering attacks. Vandals or corporate espionage types “lose” flash drives in a company’s parking lot. The employee who finds it naturally plugs it into his(or her) computer. And, the device auto-installs the spy software.
Or, it might be an inside job… Do you have any idea just how much confidential corporate information you can fit on a 4GB flash drive? Whether its financial projections, personnel data, operations data or customer lists, the disclosure to the public or to a competitor could be critical.
We’ve heard the stories of lost or stolen hard drives. With the same type of data on a flash drive, because someone wanted to work on the project at home, it’s easy to misplace that little flash drive. Or, to get it stolen.
As of Vista RC1, Vista group administrators have a new ability.
They can create a group policy that turns off the ability to use USB flash drives — or other specific types of devices — or any USB devices.
I think this one will be welcome. It can also be a big motivator in getting corporate customers to shift to Windows Vista.
